Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-11-29
Countess N2rOl2.
By w1LKIE COLLINS.
THE FIRST PART.
CHAPTER I.

In tho year 1860 the reputation Of DR.. Wy
brow as London physician reached ita
highest point 1t was reported on good
authority that no was in receipt OF one Of the
largest incomes derived from the practice OF
medicine In modern times.
One afternoon, toward the close Of the Lon
don season, the doctor had just taken his
luncheon after n specially hard mornings
work in his consulting room. and with a
formidable list of visits to patients at their
own houses to fill up the rest Of his day.
when tho servant announced that lady
wished to speak to him.
"Who Is shel" the doctor asked. "A
strangerp
"Yes, sir"
II see no strangers out Of consulting hour1
Tell her what the hours are, and send hsI
away
al have told her. sir"
"Wellp
"And she won't 60"
"Won't got" The doctor smiled as he 70
peated the words. He was n humorist in his
way; and there was an absurd side to the
situation which rather amused him. elias
this obstinate lady given you her manner he
inquired.
"No, sir. She refused to give any name
she said she wouldn't keep you FIVE minutes,
and the matter was too important to wait till
tomorrow. There she is in the consulting
room; and how to get her out again is more
than / know"
Dr. Wybrow considered for q moment
His knowledge of women professionally
spealSing) rested on the ripe experience OF
more than thirty years; he had met with
them in all their varieties-especially tho
variety which knows nothing of the value Of
time, and never hesitateS at sheltering itself
behind the privileges of its sex A glance at
his watch informed him that he must soon
begin his rounds among the patients who
were waiting for him at their own houses. He
decided forthwith on taking the only wise
course that was opened under the circum-
stances In other words, lie decided on taking
TO flight
as the carriage at the doorn he askoi.
ayes, SIR"
"Very well. Open the house door Tor me
without making any noise, and lef'e the
lady in undisturbed possession of tho consult
ing room. When she gets tired of waiting,
you know what to tell her If she asks wien
am expected to return, say that / dine at
my club, and spend the evening at the
theatre. Now, then, softly, Thomas! II
your shoes crcalS, am lost man."
He noislessly led the way into the hall, fol
lowed by the servant on tiptoe.
Did the lady in the consulting room sus'
pect hint or did Thomas shoes creak, and
was her sense of hearing unusually keeni
Whatever the explanation may be, the event
that actually happened was beyond all doubt
Exactly as DR.. Wybrow passed his consult
Ing room, the door opened--the lady appeared
OIL the threshold-nnd laid her hand on his
arm.
II cntreat you, sir, not to go away without
letting me speak to you first"
The accent was foreign; the tone was low
and firm. Her fingers closed gently, and yet
resolutely, on the doctors arm.
Neither her language nor her action had
the slightest effect in inclining him to grant
her request The influence that instantly
stopped him, on the way to his carriage, was
the silent influence of her face The startling
contrast between the corpselike pallor OF her
complexion and the overpowertng life and
light, the glittering metallic brightness in her
large black eyes, held him literally spell
bound. She was dressed in dark colors, with
perfect taste; she was Of middle height, and
apparently OF middle age-sGy year or
two over 30 Her lower features-the nose,
mouth and chin-possessed the finencss and
ieicacy of form which is oftener seen among
women Of foreign races than among women
Of English birth. She was unquestionably n
handsome person--with the one serious draw
back of her CHASTITY complexion, and with the
less noticeable defect of a total want Of tender
ness in the expression OF her eyes. Apart
from his first emotion Of surprise, the feeling
,he produced In the doctor may be described
As an overpowering feeling Of professional
curiosity. The case might prove to be some
thing entirely new in his professional expert
snce at looks like it," he thought; land it's
worth waiting for"
She perceived that she had produced a
strong impression of some kind upon him,
and dropped her hold on his arm.
"You have comforted many miserable
women in your time" she said. Comfort
pne today"
Without waiting to be answered she led tine
way back into the room.
The doctor followed her and closed the
door. He placed her In the patients chair,
opposite the windows. Even in London the
sun, on that summer afternoon, was daz-
Elingly bright The radiant light flowed in
on her. Her eyes met it unflinchingly. with
the stcely steadiness of the eyes Of an eagle.
The smooth pallor OF her unwrnkled skin
looked more fearfully white than ever For
the first time in many a long year past the
doctor felt his pulse quicken its beat in the